quadriennium utilen.

1681 J. Dalrymple Inst. Law Scotl. ii. xii. § 31 There is a quadriennial prescription against minors not pursuing, to reduce deeds done by them in their minority to their enorm lesion, from their age of twenty-one complete to their age of twenty-five complete; but these actions being intented within that quadriennium utile, did [etc.].

?1707 in J. Spotiswood Introd. to Knowl. Stile of Writs (1707) 186 Me, now being past my said Age of 21 Years compleat, and within the quadriennium utile, to have Revoked, [etc.].

1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. vii. 19 These four years, between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five called by us, quadrennium utile, are indulged to the minor, that he may have a reasonable time to consider with himself, what deeds done in his minority have been truly prejudicial to him.

1784 A. Macmillan Forms Writings used in Scotl. xiii. 492 Persons may be restored against deeds done to their prejudice in minority, if they insist, within four years after majority, which time is called the quadriennium utile.

1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Quadriennium utile,..the term of four years allowed..to a minor after his majority, during which he may by suit, or action, endeavour to annul any deed granted to his prejudice during his minority.

1863 J. H. Burton Book-hunter (ed. 2) ii. 140 When one has been at work among..infeftments, homologations, charges of horning, quadriennium utiles, [etc.].

1927 W. M. Gloag & R. C. Henderson Introd. Law Scotl. 48 A reduction on the ground of minority and lesion may be brought..before the expiry of the quadriennium utile.

1998 H. L. MacQueen Kin of Kennedy, 'Kenkynnol' & Common Law in G. W. S. Barrow Medieval Scotl. xiii. 290 The reason for this transaction was probably, the completion of the king's quadriennium utile.